Holy Ground: Facing the Fire

Upon returning from the convention (which was a great blessing and answer to prayer) all the challenges of life returned also. Some of our challenges will continue with us for our whole journey on this side of Jordan, and that realization can be burdening. These thoughts brought me to an attitude of acceptance and excitement.Holy Ground: Facing the Fire Exodus 3.2“And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.” Exodus 3:2 The dry and brittle thorn bush should have been consumed immediately. But this bush remained whole and standing amid raging flames. Moses was curious, and he went out of his way to draw near to look.Exodus 3:3 The bush that Moses saw burning in the desert was probably the wild acacia or thorn bush, which becomes so brittle and dry in the hot weather, that a single spark could kindle a raging fire which could easily cause a widespread conflagration. This fire did not consume the bush, and the fire was contained to one bush. God certainly knows how to get our attention! Perhaps the bush pictured the Hebrews who were in bondage in Egypt, and that their affliction, though great, was limited and overruled by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. For God was in their midst.The fires of challenge and difficulty may seem ‘out of control’ but the Lord is in the midst of the fire, limiting its destruction and protecting the very bush that is burning from being consumed. This is true of natural Israel, of our experiences as spiritual Israel, and the whole experience of the permission of evil. He permits only what is necessary for learning and growth.

Look in awe at the resiliency of hope and the power of tenacity as we see amid both the fiery experiences of natural Israel and of our spiritual brotherhood. It is a miracle of God! It is because God is in our midst!Psalm 46:1, 2, 5 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea…God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when the morning dawns.” “When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush, and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” God called out to Moses and he knew his name. And He calls out to us, by name, from the midst of a fire that we do not understand.“Then He said, ‘Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’”

Every experience becomes Holy Ground when He is with us in it. I witness the fires that threaten to destroy and I am in awe of Your keeping power to restrain adversity for highest good and blessing.I take off my shoes, barefoot and humbled. I stand here aware of my weaknesses and need for strength and direction.I sense Your presence.It is an honor to take these next steps with You.This is Holy ground because You are here with me.This is the Holy ground You have chosen for me.I will stand on this ground for as long as You choose.